Camino Frances 2019 PostScript 1: NOT TOO MUCH, NOT TOO FAST.

[lonestarmatt]

As Suzie and I return from Spain, we experience what many Pilgrims experience. Life in America is Fast! Life in Spain, not so much. Suzie's Dad, Bob Laird (RIP), had the best explanation in the world for Mañana. Ask almost anyone and they'll say Mañana means tomorrow. Ask Bob and you get the real answer, "Not Today" - think about it. Spain truly is the Land of Mañana.

It's easy to return to America and get all consumed with LBC - Life Before Camino. LAC -Life After Camino, on the other hand, offers so many different options. This was not our first Camino, yet it's a reminder of the simple elegance of the Camino. As my Dad would say, "Slow down, Son".

Upon my return, I had 4,897 emails in my Inbox. I have 3,286 pictures that I took with my iPhone (I took a camera, as well). In these first few days back to "reality", it simply takes some time for "re-entry" - Not Too Much, Not Too Fast.

It took 4 Credencials for Camino Frances:
1-Only Churches
2-Only Where We Slept each Night
3-Bars and Cafes
4-Sarria to Santiago

I'm looking through my Guidebook and my small Notebook, where I took notes with my Parker Jotter Pen of all the Pilgrims I met along The Way.

Suzie and I must thank all of all Family and Friends that supported us on our Pilgrimage - we are truly blessed.

To all of the fellow Pilgrims, that helped make our journey exceptional - Thank You - Muchas Gracias!

And here are most their names, retained in my little notebook:

Alan and Kenna
Angel Spain
Angel
Ann Australia
Annie Maryland
Barbara North Carolina
Bee Norway
Beth Pennsylvania
Betsy Tennessee
Bill and Maxine Georgia
Bob and Cindy Indiana
Bob and Emili Indiana
Bob and Gretchen Texas
Butterfly Florida
Carol California
Ceferino Spain
Ceferino Jr Spain
Chris France
Chris and Patty California
Cimey and Wanda Spain
Dan and Tel Holland
David and Bridget California
David and Jan Indiana
David and Maryanne New Zealand
Don and Jamie Texas
Don and Linda California
Ed and Lisa
Emilio New York
Eric and Leah
Eugene United Kingdom
Fr Bernard Spain
Fr Daniel
Fr Jim Texas
Fr Manny Spain
Fr Moe Texas
Fr Sibi Texas
Frank and Sonia California
Fritz and Carolyn Michigan
Gale Pennsylvania
Geraldo Spain
Gregg and Kathy
Guy and Tracey Australia
Hilary Australia
Ivanna Canada
Jacklyn
Jacob Germany
Jacque Germany
Jami Pennsylvania
Jan Finland
Javier Spain
Jean Claude France
Jean Jacques Spain
Jennifer Kentucky / Indiana
Jennifer Texas
Jennifer United Kingdom
Jerry Florida / California
Jerry and Amy Wisconsin
Jessica Alabama
John United Kingdom
John and Bonnie Canada
JohnnieWalker Spain
Jose and Olga Spain
Joseph Australia
Juan Spain
Juan and Rosa Spain
Juan Carlos Zamora Tamayo Spain
Julian Australia
Julian Brazil
Kate Australia
Kathleen
Kenna Canada
Lara Australia
Larry and Edith
Lauren California
Leslie Germany
Leslie Michigan
Louisa Germany
Lucia Australia
Manon California
Marilyn South Africa
Marion Georgia
Mark and Carol
Marty and Sabrina Ohio
Mary Washington
Maureen
Maximo and Mercedes Spain
Micky Delaware
Mike California
Mike and Bev Montana
Miriam Spain
Monk Ramon Spain
Montana Alabama
Nate and Faith
Nichola Ireland
Ofelia California
Oris Switzerland
Pally United Kingdom
Pascal France
Paul Canada
Pepe and Josephine Spain
Peter United Kingdom
Philip Florida / California
Philip Spain
Ray Florida
Richard
Richard and Linda Jan
Rob Florida / California
Rob and Helen
Rob and Julie
Rose Mary California
Steve and Linda Washington
Sun South Korea
Tammy Georgia
Tara
Ted and Lisa California
Thommy and Lisa Sweden
Tim Florida / California
Tom and Penny New York
Tomas Spain
Tony and Judy Australia
Trevor New York
Valerie Canada
Vicki Australia
Victoria Australia
William France
Yelena U.S. Virgin Islands
Yolanda California

If you've read this far, "Yes" we have our own Sello (Stamp) to share with Friends along The Way.

 

[VNwalking]

This was not our first Camino, yet it's a reminder of the simple elegance of the Camino. As my Dad would say, "Slow down, Son".

So true. Beautiful.

And there is really a place called Friendswood?
Wow, if that isn't the perfect place to come from, and to back to!
Buen camino de la vida, peregrino/a! May you both bring the spirit of the camino home and be friends to all. Friendship is a scarce commodity, in these angry times .

(And the emails...aiyiyi. I hope you haven't tried to answer them all in a few sittings. Poco a poco...)

 

[Rj7797]

So true. Beautiful.

And there is really a place called Friendswood?
Wow, if that isn't the perfect place to come from, and to back to!
Buen camino de la vida, peregrino/a! May you both bring the spirit of the camino home and be friends to all. Friendship is a scarce commodity, in these angry times .

(And the emails...aiyiyi. I hope you haven't tried to answer them all in a few sittings. Poco a poco...)

Texas is the friendship state! I'm guilty of replying "Texas" when someone asked where I was from on the camino instead of the states. That usually got a smile or laugh. Great post! I always enjoy people's post camino thoughts and yours ring true Matt! In fact I'm headed out to partake in some small town Texas slow down this evening.

 

[AndreaCT]

Your own stamp!!! I absolutely love the idea and I thank you for my first big smile of the day!!

 

[Pelegrin]

View attachment 66595View attachment 66595
As Suzie and I return from Spain, we experience what many Pilgrims experience. Life in America is Fast! Life in Spain, not so much. Suzie's Dad, Bob Laird (RIP), had the best explanation in the world for Mañana. Ask almost anyone and they'll say Mañana means tomorrow. Ask Bob and you get the real answer, "Not Today" - think about it. Spain truly is the Land of Mañana.

Of course is Mañana much more important than Hoy in Spain.
Mañana (10N) we have here general elections. I wish we could have an stable government after this.

Buen Camino.

 

[Dani7]

So much pleasure in reading your post. What a great idea with the separate credentials to collect stamps. Not too many Canadians on your list. Hopefully more of us will add to the charm and joy of the Camino in the coming years... eh?! thanks so much for posting.

 

[natefaith]

It really is so apt that you're from Friendswood! ❤

Great post and good to hear from you from LAC